Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I always am willing to do anything to oblige. Before concluding however, I emphasise the great importance for our economy to recognise the need to become competitive. We are not competitive and unless something is done soon, it will get worse. I have tabled numerous questions to the Ministers of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Finance asking them to itemise and identify the issues that impede such competitiveness. However, I have not yet been told. The replies always are coy and cute but do not deal with the subject matter. The Government should apply itself to this issue as a matter of extreme urgency. I hope this proposal will be successful and will not adjust one situation at the cost of creating a worse situation. I also hope there will be urgent recognition that we are not necessarily the smartest people on the globe. Everyone else is just as smart and we must compete with them.

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